ENGLISH TOURING OPERA PLAYING AT BUXTON OPERA HOUSE

Buxton Opera House & Pavilion Arts Centre are set to welcome English Touring Opera to the stage of its Grade II* listed Matcham Auditorium over two nights this October, for the performances of Blond Eckbert: Double Bill and The Snowmaiden

Buxton Opera House & Pavilion Arts Centre would also like to express its gratitude for the generous funding from Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund and the Derbyshire Environmental Trust (DET), which over the past year has helped contribute to the installation of a modernised hearing induction loop system throughout the venue, as well as a portable wheelchair ramp, which will allow customers who require use of a wheelchair to safely access the Stalls Bar, an area of the venue which previously could only be accessed by a small staircase.

The upcoming performances of Blond Eckbert: Double Bill and The Snowmaiden are the latest in a long line that has spawned from the prosperous partnership between Buxton Opera House and English Touring Opera, which for the last several years has brought unforgettable opera productions to the town of Buxton and to Derbyshire.

Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund and Derbyshire Environmental Trust’s contributions toward the new hearing induction loop system and portable wheelchair ramp have come at a crucial time. The new developments will maintain the venue’s attraction to national touring productions such as English Touring Opera, which will host an Audio Described performance of The Snowmaiden on Saturday 26 October at 7.30pm. Buxton Opera House continues its pledge towards incorporating further accessibility provisions within the remit of the venue’s planning protections as a Grade II* listed building.

Due to the age of the building, Buxton Opera House has limited accessibility provisions. Though undeniably elegant in its Edwardian design, and befitting of English Touring Opera’s Olivier Awardwinning productions; the site limitations at Buxton Opera House can often pose accessibility challenges to loyal audiences; none more so than to those who experience physical disabilities, such as hearing impairments or those require the use of a wheelchair.

With the venue being sited on a steep hill, the Stalls Bar area, which is situated next to an area that usually enjoys level access from the entrance, can only be accessed via a small staircase. Due to the site limitations that come with Buxton Opera House’s Grade II* listing, it is currently not possible to install lift access.

Buxton Opera House & Pavilion Arts Centre are therefore confident that the introduction of both the new hearing induction system and portable wheelchair ramp will be a welcome addition to the growing number of facilities that are being implemented, to break down barriers and further increase the accessibility of Buxton Opera House, and for all audiences to enjoy English Touring Opera’s outstanding performances for many years to come.

Further information about the company and future productions can be found on the English Touring Opera website:

https://englishtouringopera.org.uk/

Listings:

Fri 25 – Sat 26 October 2024

Blond Eckbert: Double Bill – Fri 25 October 7.30pm

The Snowmaiden – Sat 26 October 7.30pm (Audio Described performance)

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Contact our box office on:

01298 72190